MARTIN MURRAY’S world title challenge to Felix Sturm ended in the frustration of a draw.

The St Helens man was given the bout by ringside judge Ted Gizma, 115-113 after 12 rounds at the SAP Arena last night, with official Jean-Francois Toupin handing it to the champion 116-112.

Judge Pascquale Procopio held the casting vote but was unable to separate the pair, scoring the contest 114-114.

Murray, though, will feel he had done sufficient to have ripped the WBA “Super” world middleweight crown from Sturm, and, given the notorious difficulty away fighters suffer in gaining points victories on German soil, the British title holder can have reason to be aggrieved.

The question marks that Murray did not belong at this level following just 23 contests have been firmly trampled on after he matched – and often bettered – the defending champion.

Murray’s performance was built on his refusal to back down or be intimidated by this long-ruling champion.

Though of little consolation today, Murray’s stock within world boxing will have soared.

The early stages of the fight were evenly matched, although Murray did well to keep his opponent at bay for the most part.

But the champion stepped up his game slightly in the fifth and sixth rounds, landing the eye- catching shots and finishing rounds strongly.

Murray dominated the eighth, though, landing a string of shots as the round entered its final minute and developing a swagger as his opponent began to look rattled.

Sturm landed some crisp shots towards the end of round nine, bursting through the Englishman’s guard on several occasions before connecting with a shuddering uppercut.

Murray came out with a strong salvo at the start of the 10th but was handed two warnings by referee Stanley Christodoulou. The round also saw a rucksack thrown into the ring seconds from the end, landing near the two fighters.

Sturm attempted to work behind his jab but Murray was the man throwing the bigger punches. However, a flurry of punches in the closing seconds saw the German rattle his opponent and celebrate at the bell.

The judges’ inability to find consensus meant he remains the champion, but Murray emerged with great credit after matching his opponent.

Murray said afterwards: “We thought we'd won but you're in Germany, in his own backyard. We're gutted we didn't get the win, but it's expected in Germany.

“We’ve always known I’m world class, I just needed that chance. I’ve shown it today, I took a major step up in class but I belong at that level.

“I took a couple of rounds to get into it and get flowing, I eventually warmed into it and went 12 rounds with a good world champion.”